Beginning Sept. 7, bike permit requirements will no longer be needed for commuters on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and the Metro-North Railroad (Metro-North).
LIRR and Metro-North customers will also not be required to present a bike permit on Aug. 22, the day of Bike New York’s Five Boro Bike Tour. The event, which was cancelled last year due to the pandemic, draws tens of thousands of cyclists to the city.
“Metro-North believes deeply in the value of sustainable transportation and looks forward to helping our customers ride the system more seamlessly with their bikes in tow,” said Metro-North President Cathy Rinaldi. “As more and more riders continue to return to the railways, it’s essential that we’re doing everything we can to accommodate them and making it easier to travel with bikes is one way of doing that. The number of cyclists has risen considerably during the pandemic, and it’s vital that mass transit plays a role in promoting that growth.”
LIRR President Phil Eng added, “The LIRR provides New Yorkers with access to a range of world class bike rides throughout Long Island. We continually strive to make it easier for everyone to access those adventures. We’ve always supported all modes of sustainable travel and this news ensures our commitment to enhancing the bicycling experience and quality of life throughout our geographic footprint. I’m excited to see more and more bike riders take the train to their cycling destinations of choice.”
Other rules for bringing bikes on board the LIRR and Metro-North continue to apply. Non-folding bikes are not allowed on rush hour trains or on holidays. On weekdays, up to four bikes per train are allowed. On weekends, up to eight bikes per train are allowed. The MTA encourages cyclists to look for bicycle trains on weekends. These accommodate more than eight bikes. These trains are indicated on published timetables with a bicycle symbol and a plus sign.
